Aethelred I (866 – 871)
Æthelred I (also spelled Ethelred), who reigned from 866 to 871, was a King of Wessex and Kent, and he…
Æthelred I (also spelled Ethelred), who reigned from 866 to 871, was a King of Wessex and Kent, and he played a crucial role in defending his kingdom against the Viking invasions during a turbulent period in Anglo-Saxon England. Æthelred was the fourth son of King Æthelwulf of Wessex and the older brother of the famed Alfred the Great. His reign was marked by continuous conflict with the Great Heathen Army, a coalition of Viking forces that sought to conquer the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
Early Life
Born in Wessex: Æthelred was likely born around 845 as one of the sons of King Æthelwulf, who ruled over Wessex, a powerful kingdom in southern England. His mother was Osburh, and his brothers included Æthelbald, Æthelberht, and Alfred, all of whom played significant roles in the defense of Wessex.
Succession: Æthelred came to the throne in 866 after the death of his brother Æthelberht, who had ruled over Wessex and Kent. He inherited a kingdom that was already dealing with the increasing threat of Viking invasions, which had become more intense across England by the mid-9th century.
Reign and Viking Invasions
The Great Heathen Army:
The Viking Threat: Æthelred’s reign coincided with the arrival of the Great Heathen Army, a large Viking force that had landed in East Anglia in 865 and began launching campaigns of conquest against the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. By the time Æthelred became king, the Vikings had already overrun Northumbria and East Anglia, and they were turning their attention toward the south of England, including Wessex.
Initial Battles: Æthelred faced constant challenges from Viking forces throughout his reign. Early in his reign, the Viking army advanced into the kingdom of Mercia and threatened the borders of Wessex.
Battles of 870–871:
Battle of Reading (871): One of the most significant engagements of Æthelred’s reign occurred in January 871 at the Battle of Reading, where the Great Heathen Army, led by the Viking chieftains Halfdan and Bagsecg, invaded Wessex. Æthelred and his brother Alfred, who fought alongside him, attempted to drive the Vikings out but suffered a defeat at Reading.
Battle of Ashdown (871): Despite the loss at Reading, Æthelred and Alfred regrouped and achieved a significant victory at the Battle of Ashdown, fought in early 871. According to Anglo-Saxon sources, Æthelred was late to the battle because he was attending mass, but Alfred held the Viking forces in check until Æthelred arrived. Together, the brothers defeated the Viking army, killing several key Viking leaders, including Bagsecg. This victory was a crucial morale boost for the Anglo-Saxons, though it did not end the Viking threat.
Subsequent Battles: After Ashdown, Æthelred continued to fight against the Vikings in a series of battles, including the Battle of Basing and the Battle of Meretun, but these engagements were less successful for Wessex. The Vikings managed to regroup and continued their incursions into the kingdom.
Death and Succession
Death in 871: Æthelred’s reign came to an abrupt end when he died in 871, likely as a result of injuries sustained in battle. His death occurred during a crucial moment in Wessex’s defense against the Vikings. He was buried at Wimborne Minster in Dorset, a religious center in his kingdom.
Succession by Alfred the Great: After Æthelred’s death, his younger brother Alfred succeeded him as king of Wessex. Alfred would go on to become one of England’s most famous and revered monarchs, successfully defending Wessex against Viking conquest and laying the foundations for the eventual unification of England.
Legacy
Defender of Wessex: Æthelred’s reign, though short and filled with military struggles, was vital in holding back the Viking advance in southern England. His efforts, alongside those of his brother Alfred, helped preserve the kingdom of Wessex during a time when many other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms fell to the Vikings.
A Precursor to Alfred the Great’s Success: While Æthelred’s reign was overshadowed by that of his younger brother, his actions in battle and his resistance against the Viking invaders set the stage for Alfred’s later successes. Alfred’s reign built upon Æthelred’s resistance, ultimately leading to the survival of Wessex as a bastion of Anglo-Saxon power.
Dynastic Importance: Æthelred’s descendants also played important roles in the later history of England. His sons, Æthelhelm and Æthelwold, made claims to the throne after his death, although they were eventually overshadowed by Alfred and his heirs.
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